One Derby County star has just completed his comeback from injury after appearing for the under-21s in the National League cup on Tuesday evening.
Derby County return from the international break this weekend with a difficult trip to Millwall in the Championship.
The Rams are winless on their travels this term, scoring just three goals in four defeats, with Paul Warne’s men completely dominant at Pride Park.
Ahead of their trip to London, Warne could have midfielder David Ozoh to select from after he returned to grass following his injury but will be without Tawanda Chirewa who suffered a bad injury to his quad.
With the Derby boss set to supply a full injury in Thursday’s pre-match press conference, he was boosted by the news of one star returning to action on Tuesday.
Derby County ace Jake Rooney completes comeback from injury
Jake Rooney’s footballing development has been halted by injury in the last year.
Rooney was ruled out for the season with an ACL injury suffered in the defeat to Bolton in September 2023.
The 21-year-old had just broken into the first-team and was set to play a starring role alongside Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin in the heart of the Rams’ defence.
READ MORE: Derby County star Eiran Cashin’s journey from almost released to Premier League transfer interest
However, a long-term injury denied him of that opportunity so when he completed his full recovery and returned during pre-season, the young defender would have felt his fortunes were turning for the better.
Sadly, just a couple of weeks after coming back to full fitness, Rooney was hit with a knee injury in Spain that was set to keep him out for four months.
Following this major setback, the youngster has made a miraculous recovery by returning to full training at the end of September and has since played his first minutes.
Rooney played 62 minutes alongside first-team stars Tom Barkhuizen and Liam Thompson as Derby under 21s were beaten 3-0 away at Aldershot Town in the National League Cup.
It was a disappointing night and result for the young Rams but a huge boost for Warne, who is close to having his promising centre-back available.
Derby County should send Jake Rooney out on loan
Rooney is seen as a future first-team star at Derby but injury has halted his development and chances of playing regular Championship football.
With Cashin and Nelson proving immovable in the heart of defence, it’s best if Rooney is loaned out in the January transfer window, perhaps to a side lower down the Football League.
The 2003-born defender must get some invaluable minutes in his legs, and as they aren’t guaranteed at Derby, playing elsewhere is an option.
Ultimately, Rooney won’t learn much by playing for the under-21s but he can use the next two months to build up his match sharpness before hopefully heading out on loan.